[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 51 (Friday, March 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   PAYING TRIBUTE TO KUUMBA HOUSE DANCE THEATRE FOR ITS 25 YEARS OF 
                          ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 23, 2007

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a 
Houston cultural treasure, the Kuumba House Dance Theatre. For 25 years 
of artistic excellence, the Kuumba House has been dedicated to ensuring 
that African dance forms thrive and grow both artistically and 
professionally in the city of Houston as well as throughout Texas and 
the United States.
  It has been said that the mind may know the steps, but only the 
spirit can dance. Dance is a transcendent expression of mind, body, and 
soul intertwined that when executed, captivates its audience and pulls 
them into its resplendent world of free flowing and creative 
aesthetics. The Kuumba House Dance Theatre has been enthralling its 
audiences with its high-energy, high-octane performances for the past 
25 years in Houston, Texas.
  The Kuumba Dance Theatre reflects its name well, which means 
``creativity'' in Swahili. Through the art form of African dance, the 
body is allowed to creatively express and reflect the mood of its 
dancer while bending, jumping, and undulating gracefully to the rhythm 
and beat of the African drum. African dance reflects the rich culture 
and joy of the African people, and I applaud Kuumba House for having 
achieved international recognition by bringing African dance to Houston 
and the world.
  Madam Speaker, we need to encourage creativity in this day and age, 
especially in our youth. For over two decades, the Kuumba House Dance 
Theatre has worked diligently in Houston and all over the U.S. to 
facilitate quality dance education and performances as well as 
promoting understanding of African cultural art forms and creative 
expression. I commend Kuumba House for not only teaching this beautiful 
cultural art form to our youth, but for also hosting educational 
activities, concerts, and community outreach events to all audiences 
that support and appreciate the beautiful art form of dance.

  On behalf of the constituents of the 18th Congressional district of 
Texas, I commend this group on their faithful service to the Houston 
community and join them in the celebration of their 25th Anniversary. I 
am honored and humbled to be Co-Chairing Kuumba House's March 23rd, 
25th Anniversary Gala Dinner with Global Energy Limited CEO Mr. Kenneth 
Yellowe.
  The gala will feature such dignitaries as featured speaker Dr. 
Barbara Masekela, who has been a devoted member of the African National 
Congress for over three decades and is currently the South African 
Ambassador to the United States. An African luminary and personal 
friend who will be presented with the ``Legend of Africa'' award is NBA 
superstar and humanitarian Dikembe Mutombo. I am proud to say that I 
was more than glad to assist Dikembe who through his foundation has 
donated $15 million to construct and open the Biamba Marie Mutombo 
Hospital and Research Center, a $29 million, 300-bed hospital in 
Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  In conclusion, the Kuumba House Dance Theatre would not be where it 
is today without the steadfast dedication of its Founder and Artistic 
Director, Lindi Yeni. I thank Lindi for her vision, hard work, and 
wholehearted commitment to Kuumba House and in this evening's 
auspicious gala. Once again, I pay tribute to the Kuumba House Dance 
Theatre and look forward to many more decades of thrilling and creative 
dance performances, which contribute to the rich diversity of our 
community.

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